On the second Saturday of November, the East Texas town of Henderson will celebrate the 33rd annual Heritage Syrup Festival in Henderson. Sprawling six blocks from the Depot Museum to Heritage Square, the festival features 150 arts and crafts booths, food vendors, and old-fashioned syrup.
The highlight is the syrup-making demonstration at the Depot Museum, where volunteers use vintage, mule-operated equipment to make ribbon cane syrup. “Sugar cane was the prime crop of Henderson at one time, so we still do the syrup making the old-fashioned way to honor that heritage,” says Kaitlin Smith, Henderson’s tourism and Main Street coordinator. Throughout the day, visitors can see the mules walking across the sugar-cane press, squeezing the cane to release the juice that is the base of cane syrup. Then, the cane juice is boiled to complete the syrup-making process. Visitors can purchase the ribbon cane syrup from various vendors.
Folk artists also demonstrate lace making, basket making, blacksmithing, quilting, wood carving, and rope making. Live entertainment takes place on three stages and includes cloggers, square dancers, and folk bands. Antique cars and tractors line the streets, a petting zoo entertains kids, and hayrides transport festivalgoers between the Depot Museum and Heritage Square.
Heritage Syrup Festival, Nov. 12 Historic Downtown Henderson and Depot Museum, 514 N. High St. depotmuseum.com/syrupfestival.html
BIG BEND COUNTRY
ALPINE
Big Bend Arts Council
Membership Show
Nov. 3-Dec. 6
View a range of artwork at the members’ exhibit of the Big Bend region’s premier arts organization, with an opening reception on Nov. 3. Gallery on the Square, 115 W. Holland Ave. 432-837-7203; bigbendartscouncil.org
ALPINE
Center for Big Bend Studies Annual Conference
Nov. 11-12
The 28th annual conference brings together historians, archeologists, folklorists, and other researchers studying the past and present of the Big Bend region and northern Mexico. Espino Conference Center, 400 N. Harrison St. 432-837-8179; cbbs.sulross.edu/conference
ALPINE
ArtWalk
Nov. 18-19
The 29th annual ArtWalk, Alpine’s biggest arts festival, spans two days in November and showcases a variety of art exhibitions in many local businesses along with festivities and live music. Downtown, 204 E. Holland Ave. 432-294-1071; artwalkalpine.com
MIDLAND
Artist Community Market
Nov. 5
Local artists and creatives showcase their wares. Patrons enjoy live performances, food trucks, and art activities. Arts Council of Midland, 1506 W. Illinois. 432-687-1149; acmidland.org/artist-community-market
GULF COAST
ALVIN
Novemberfest
Nov. 12
The 18th annual Novemberfest includes arts and crafts, collectibles, a car and bike show, antique tractor and farm equipment displays, a pancake breakfast, a raffle, a veterans’ tribute, a food court, and kids’ games. National Oak Park, 118 S. Magnolia St. 713-828-9477; alvinrotary.org
BRAZORIA
Henry Smith Day
Nov. 14
Henry Smith, an early educator during the Republic of Texas, is honored at his statue on the grounds of the Brazoria Civic Center. Elementary school students sing Texas songs, and refreshments are served. Brazoria Heritage Civic Center, 202 W. Smith St. 979-824-0455; brazoriahf.org
BROWNSVILLE
